Whistleblowers

As a doctor, nurse, mental health worker, other caregiver, witness or victim, have you ever been sickened or upset by the physical or mental abuse or harm dealt to patients in a psychiatric facility or under psychiatric care?

Do you know of patient deaths that you suspect were caused by gross psychiatric malpractice such as over-drugging, misdiagnosis, violent restraints, or careless neglect?

Have you seen psychiatric patients singled out for cruel or degrading treatment?

Are you aware of any psychiatrist or mental health practitioner who has taken sexual advantage of a patient?

Do you know of patients being held in a psychiatric facility to drain their health insurance?

Are you aware of any fraudulent financial practices by psychiatrists or psychologists, or within psychiatric facilities?

Perhaps you have tried to change the things you see are wrong, and you have been ignored, ridiculed or threatened by the psychiatric establishment. If so, you are not wrong in your efforts, and you are not alone.

It is vital that criminal psychiatric abuse is reported to the proper law enforcement agencies so action can be taken. This is where you can help.

For more than three decades CCHR has helped witnesses report psychiatric abuses to authorities.

If you think something is wrong, it probably is. If you SEE something is wrong, report it.

QUESTION: WHAT SHOULD BE REPORTED?

ANSWER: Report any crime or act which you believe endangers the health, safety and well-being of a patient. This includes neglect, physical or sexual assault, abusive physical or chemical restraints, imprisonment (wrongful detention in a psychiatric facility), manslaughter and fraud.

QUESTION: HOW SHOULD THIS BE REPORTED?

ANSWER:

1. Write up all known details about the abuse, including dates, places, names of psychiatrists, psychologists or others involved, ensuring patient confidentiality is respected. Send this to the nearest CCHR chapter.

Following are some guidelines:

• What led to the family member, friend or person being hospitalized or treated by a mental health practitioner?
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• What was the diagnosis given? Was this given after a thorough medical examination for underlying physical problems that could look like “mental illness”?
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• Was there health insurance involved? Did it seem the diagnosis was based on what insurance coverage was coverage? Was length of hospitalization increased or decreased based on insurance held?
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• Was the person given a copy of his/her rights, including the right to see an attorney, when admitted or prior to any hearing to determine involuntary placement or commitment to a psychiatric facility?
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• Was informed, written consent given before any treatment was administered?

If the abuse involved physical or chemical restraints, do you know who ordered the restraints and under what circumstances?

2. Support your information with as much documentation as possible. Remember, do not do anything illegal. Use only evidence that is acquired legally to substantiate the abuse.

3. Call CCHR to further discuss your case or to make an appointment.

All information is held in strict confidence.